Distance - 553km (1022km)
Weather - Sunny 28 degrees
Day 2 of the Long Ride 2014 was supposedly going to be a tough one, if anything learnt from last years ride was anything to go by.
After waking up a quick walk to the local service station revealed just how much of an oasis Griffith really is, everything is so green and lush. The morning was beautiful and still, although the dawn sun was already starting to have some sting. The walk revealed an old abandoned winery that belonged to no other than Penfold's, I don't think any Grange was ever produced at this place.
With breakfast out of the way and the bikes packed a few of us headed off to visit a few local businesses that had shown the Long Ride some great support. Trying to find Griffith Motorcycle Centre allowed us to soak up more of the town, I really wish we'd been able to meet these guys however, being a Sunday they weren't open. Thanks for the support guys.
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| The old Penfold's winery. |
We then headed out to Bilbul to visit De Bortoli wines, and to our amazement the cellar door was open at 9am. Pulling up we were greeted by Di who quickly ushered us inside. A real character she couldn't wait to start demonstrating the great De Bortoli range that comes from the region. Was it too early from a wine? Never. "Fill up a glass or two", I said.
We had a laugh, bought some wine, and then got on our way. I was amazed at the size of the winery and the beauty of it.
These guys were also great in the support they had given us.
These guys were also great in the support they had given us.
We set off on the 110km to Hillston, into what had developed into a pretty squally head wind, this would certainly test the road holding of the BMW F800GS, as well as its fuel range.
By this stage we had dropped well behind the others on the Long Ride, and the goal was to catch them before reaching Cobar. The plan being to visit a local girl who has a severe heart condition and is supported by one of the riders. She is 11 years old and is amazing doctors by her will to survive - the prognosis being that she should passed away quite some time ago.
As the temperature begun to rise quite dramatically we reached Hillston and refuelled the bikes and grabbed a bite to eat. The next stop would mark the start of the 'world's longest pub crawl".
Mount Hope, is literally a pub on top of a hill, 90km or so up the Kidman Way from Hillston. Apparently in it's heyday it had quite a community that was fed by a copper mine, these days it has a population of just 53 and is famous for the pub, the Royal Hotel.
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| Mt Hope |
There were a few tourists around but otherwise the place was deserted. The publican, a sour old bird, served us a beer without even a word. A couple of travellers with a massive caravan told us about the wild goats further up the road. The experiences of the last Long Ride had already warned us that this next stretch would be littered with the remains of animals on the road. We were expected it to be quite the same and probably just as dangerous.
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| Royal Hotel - Mt Hope pub |
It didn't eventuate. Although a few animals were around there was really nothing to worry about as it seemed almost deserted. The only said thing being a 'family' of emu's that had just been collected by one of the monstrous roadtrains that frequent these roads. The remains of one of the giant birds was strewn allover the road, another lay dead just off the road, while a third, obviously in a very bad way was struggling to stand and flee the danger. We sped past, and once it had sunk in what had happened I wished we had gone back to end it's misery.
We continued on the 160 odd kilometres to Cobar, knowing that this was one of the longest stretches without fuel. It wasn't a problem, we reached the copper mining town just in time to see the other riders leaving. We'd missed out on helping a sick little girl a little happier.
The stop in Cobar was a quick one, fuel and a quick drink, before we set off chasing the others trying to get to Bourke before the sun went down.
It didn't take long. The group were riding at a pace that seemed more like an economy run. It was nice to be able to ride at this pace, but by god it was boring, especially on this dead straight road.
We hit Bourke, on the edge of the 'outback' at around 5.30pm and went straight to the Kidman Camp camping park.
After unpacking the bikes it was time for a feed, a De Bortoli wine, and a little "Poetry On A Plate" as Andrew Hull, the Bard of Bourke, regales the history of the region through his beautiful poems and stories. It's a great experience.
The wines went down a treat, and so a few more were consumed and the tales got motorcycling adventure became taller.
It was a great uneventful day that was only just a glimpse of what is to come ...
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